NSC takes charge of abandoned mini stadium in Delta

The National Sports Commission has taken control of the Ugborodo mini stadium project in Delta State. They plan to finish the stadium, which will be named after First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, according to The PUNCH.

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko shared this news during the fifth coronation anniversary of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III. Dikko also participated in a novelty match with former Nigerian players and other notable personalities in sports.

"We are not leaving just like that. The National Sports Commission, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, has adopted the Ugborodo mini stadium, which was being done by FIFA before," Dikko said in an update on the NSC’s X page.

Dikko added that the facility would be named after the First Lady once it is completed. "We want to complete it because we are developing the same thing across the country. After completing it, it is going to be named after our First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu," he said.

The Ugborodo stadium is linked to the mini stadium in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. Both projects receive funding from the FIFA Forward 2.0 Programme, which aims to support football development in FIFA member countries.

Each stadium costs about $1.2 million. The Birnin Kebbi facility has been in use for about two years, while the Ugborodo stadium has been left abandoned for the same length of time.

Last year, the Nigeria Football Federation faced criticism over this project. Its General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, told The PUNCH that they ended the contract with the project's handler, Ebi Egbe. This decision came after Egbe failed to return to the site after receiving about $500,000 as an advance payment.

The contractor has since sued the NFF over the contract termination. He claims he made significant progress on the site and could finish the project with the remaining $700,000 balance.

After ending the contract, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated the project has not been given to another contractor. He confirmed that the NSC is set to complete the facility.